Mosman Tea Dance

“Why, certainly,” Bakelite exclusive 1920s – 1930s singer and band leader replied obligingly. “And may I suggest Chuck Morgan on the guitar and Darcy Wright on the double bass for the melodic and rhythmic accompaniment?”

1920s-1930s singer Greg Poppleton taking a happy snap as the Bakelite Broadcasters play an instrumental at the Mosman Tea Dance

“Who could be better?” she swooned rhetorically. “And will you play songs like I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Blue Moon – songs people will dance to?”

“Of course, and we’ll throw in a few waltzes, rhumbas, blues and tangos for you, too,” said Greg.

“Yes, please!” she said.

And so all was set for a topping afternoon in Mosman.

Darcy Wright on double bass and Chuck Morgan, guitar

And a most topping afternoon it was. The dance floor stayed full. We had requests for a cha-cha and a bossa, which, of course aren’t 1920s and 30s, but which we can play. And everyone joined in loudly and lustily singing Always.

And we had two guest singers, who steeled by a fortifying tea and scone, no doubt, sung renditions of Putting On The Ritz and Summertime. Both received well-deserved and liberal doses of the audience’s spontaneous approbation.

11 year old Damon sat in on alto sax for the instrumentals, namely Duke Ellington’s 1939 opus, In A Mellow Tone, Lionel Hampton’s Flying Home, that 1920s classic, Lady Be Good, and one of our dance requests, Blue Bossa.

11 year old Damon on alto saxDamon plays ‘Flying Home’.

And then it was time to wind up the cat and put out the clock for another year.

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Who is Greg Poppleton? He is world-recognised as an authentic 1920s – 1930s singer with a 3 octave range totally uninfluenced by contemporary music.

The Bakelite Broadcasters are all world-touring jazz musicians (Chuck had a number 1 jazz hit in Japan with Janet Seidel. Darcy was listed as one of the world’s top ten double bass players by Rolling Stone).

Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters perform from duo size to sextet. Want us for your celebration at your place? Ask Greg.